Foundations Of Jewish Empowerment

I

Chicago
f Jewish history has one
resounding message, it is that
we, as Jews, must be empow-
ered to protect and advance our
own interests, whether it be to rescue
Soviet, Ethiopian or Syrian Jewry; to
fight against Holocaust denial and
other forms of anti-Semitism and big-
otry; or to advocate effectively any-
where in the world for people whose
life, liberty or property are at risk sim-
ply because they are Jews.
At the start of the 21st century, that
empowerment stands on two founda-
tions, which are intricately linked.
One foundation is American Jewry's
stature as a vital community in a
nation that is both a superpower and
an open, pluralistic and tolerant socie-
ty with strong democratic institutions
and nearly impeccable rule of law.
The other foundation is a strong,
viable and independent Jewish state.
The symbiosi's between a strong
American Jewish community and a
strong Israel is deep and complex.
Israel's existence — its accomplish-
ments and its ethos — have empow-
ered Diaspora Jewry for more than 50
years, giving us a post-Holocaust sense
of pride, purpose and identity. In
turn, we have focused our pride, pur-
pose and identity on Israel, helping to
secure and sustain its existence,
accomplishments and ethos.
In this construct, any weakening of
Israel — of the American Jewish com-
munity or its attachment to Israel —
has deep implications for the ability of
the Jewish people to protect and
advance our overall well-being and
security. It is in that light that I worry
about Israel's "situation," the euphe-
mism for the blood feud foisted on
the Jewish state following the decade-
long attempt to negotiate an end of
conflict with the Palestinian people.

Coming To Grips

American support, so essential to
Israel's security, depends in no small
measure on our efforts in the lobbies
of Congress and in the court of public
opinion. As we watch our Israeli
brothers and sisters engage in a terri-
ble battle, we must decide what our
role can, and should, be to assure con-
tinued support on the political level,
while setting the record straight in the

Aaron Cohen is executive editor of the

JUF News in Chicago and president of
the Washington-based American Jewish
Press Association.

press.
One challenge
is to seek to make
Israel a priority
among those
American Jews
who, seemingly
oblivious to
Jewish history,
think that what
AARON
goes on there has
COHEN
little more to do
Special
with them than
Commentary
what's happening
in Macedonia or
Indonesia. As Americans, they know
their country plays a role, but as Jews
they don't necessarily feel a personal
stake. To them, Israel is little more
than just another foreign country they
haven't visited, and "next year in
Jerusalem" is a refrain without con-
temporary meaning.
Another challenge is to provide
avenues and motivate action among

those who feel sorry for Israelis, decry
a media that accept the Palestinian
equation that defines the word "set-
tler" as "legitimate shooting target,"
but who remain passive, hoping that
"this too shall pass."
Who should take up those chal-
lenges? All those who are educated
about Jewish history, understand the
tenets of Zionism, follow the twists
and turns of Israeli politics and Israeli-
Arab relations, and, thus, have some
idea what's really going on over there.
They run the gamut from religious to
secular when it comes to Jewish obser-
vance; they may argue among them-
selves vehemently on topics ranging
from religion and state to Israeli gov-
ernment policies. But they understand
that Israel is also their country, that
Israelis are mishpacha (family) and that
their fate is linked to that of all Jews.
They visit Israel, perhaps to study or do
business there, and demonstrate to the
world that we are one, albeit diverse,

people, that Israel is our homeland, a
homeland we must not forsake.
What does it mean, as a Diaspora
Jew, to stand with Israel? To me, in
addition to all the above, it means to
understand Israel as it is, and to have a
vision, a dream, of the Israel that we
would like to help create and sustain.
My own understanding of the real
Israel is of a nation whose cultural,
religious and ethnic amalgam excites
the world. Of an Israel exploring the
Jewish future, inspiring the Jewish
present and honoring the Jewish past.
Of an Israel flowing with the milk and
honey of Hebrew culture. Of an Israel
that desires peace. Of what Israel do I
dream? It is of an Israel living in peace
with its neighbors and with itself. Of
an Israel secure enough to beat its
swords into ploughshares.
By walking with Israel, by standing
with Israel, by dreaming with Israel, we
empower ourselves, we empower Israel,
we empower all Jewish people.

❑

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